CORL Advances the Protection of Our Coral Reefs

[wade1]

I just wanted to put in a plug for the work that CORL ( http://www.corl.org ) has done and has plans to do in the future. The organization exists to create a sustainable trade and to teach native populations in collecting countries sustainability. Alongside this training, importance is placed on developing collection and farming methods that promote the protection of the reefs through CORL 's programs.

I urge you all to take a few moments and learn more about CORL and its goals. The programs are just launching themselves, and if successful (with our help as concerned hobbyists), will cause a shift in the current paradigm that will benefit not only all of us, but the countries which pick up the programs as well.

Lets all think globally and push for a higher standard in the hobby.

Wade

PS- Please give us your input! CORL will use the information to help us all preserve the reefs.

http://www.reefs.org/survey/mike_survey.html

 

[Mike King]

Thanks Wade,

CORL is being put under a growing amount of pressure to get our Coastal Resource Management (CRM) program started as soon as possible. We are planning to start the CRM program first in American Samoa this winter using American Samoa as a pilot program to refine the tools and methodology needed before we start the Philippine program. Because of the amount of time needed to obtain funding from the US Government (we are currently looking at 2004 as project starting date) and the pressure being added, it has been decided that CORL should start to seek funding from any interested party not just the US Gov’t. If total or even partial funding can be found for the Philippine CRM program we will be able to get a head start and can set up a office and part time staff. Then we can start working on some of the needed aspects of the Coastal Resource Management Program in the Philippines. We are currently looking for any company or individual that can help by providing funds to start the Philippine project and / or help with the projects we have here state side.

I’m attaching a letter calling for donations and ask that anyone who may be able to help, or knows of someone or a business that may be able to help, to make a copy and pass it on to them. If anyone wishes to lend CORL a hand in searching for funding help give me a call at 616-363-6991 or E-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks
Mike R. King




To Whom It May Concern:

I feel a great need to introduce you to a not for profit organization I have founded, The Coalition of Reef Lovers or CORL. While being an environmental organization the Coastal Resource Management Program that CORL is developing will have great social economic benefits in poverty stricken nations where it is applied. The lack of proper environmental education and guidance in many Small Island and Developing nations has led to the rapid destruction of their coral reef resources. It is from their coral reefs and near shore fisheries that these nations receive up to 90% of their dietary protein from. When the reefs are gone or degraded the villages and their people also loose the associated fisheries that are so important in putting food upon their tables. It is well known that such poverty and desperation can lead to poor health and toward a increase in recruitment for terrorism when those people involved feel that there is no other way out. I’m contacting you today to let you know that there is a way you can help to combat the poverty and terrorism it can breed, and that your help can bring about the creation of an ecofriendly sustainable industry to these poverty stricken areas where the help is so desperately needed.

The Coalition of Reef Lovers has applied to the US IRS to receive 501-c-3 non profit status. Because of the length of time needed to approve this status, The Reef Ball Foundation (a 501-c-3 organization) seeing the potential of CORL’s projects and programs has put CORL under its umbrella so immediate funding can be found.
CORL is in Immediate need for funding its operational cost and is actively seeking funding for two pilot Coastal Resource Management programs. CORL’s website can be found at www.corl.org and contains info on both CORL and how to use the Marine Ornamental Industry to help preserve the worlds coral reefs. On the website you can follow the progress of CORL in creating this new type business and village based ecosystem management that is so desperately needed. The short version of CORL’s Coastal Resource Management Program will be posted there also. Because this program in the wrong hands could be implemented as a regular for profit business and the social economic and environmental benefits would then be lost to a large extent, it will not be posted in it’s entirety.

I realize that almost every month or two a Not for Profit Organization is accused of mismanagement of donated funds and that CORL is a grass roots organization with little track record to show. I ask you for a little faith and trust with CORL. While we are a small organization we will make a big difference in places where help is so badly needed. I have visited many areas where poverty and lack of education has led to a downward spiral for those people. It was through my compassion for those people I met, and knowledge of the Marine Ornamental industry along with a guiding hand that led me to develop this new self supporting coastal resource program, but I cannot make it happen without your help.

Even as I write this letter CORL itself is in danger of cutbacks, for the first 3 years I have personally paid for most of the cost associated with CORL, using the profits from my retail business. I have now closed my business to work on CORL full time because I know that CORL will make a difference in the world today. I can only hope you feel the same need way and wish to help, even if it’s only a few dollars, or a large sum to help fund the pilot programs, any amount will be welcome and wisely used.
If you can not help at this time I understand, these are hard and uncertain times, I ask you then to copy this letter and pass it on to anyone you think may be able to help. If you do decide to help I also ask you to pass this letter along to others who may do the same and I thank you for your contribution. The need for help is great and urgent, CORL’s Coastal Resource Management program creates a win win situation for all involved. It provides ecofriendly sustainable incomes and social gains in the villages in addition to recovering lost habitats. CORL’s other projects help teach environmental education here in the states and other developed nations. The products produced by the villagers will provide the Marine Ornamental Industry with sustainably produced products and create a way for the Marine Ornamental Industry / Hobbyist to be beneficial to the worlds coral reefs where the majority of the organisms it relies on are collected from.

Donations can be sent to The Coalition of Reef Lovers, 2124 Plainfield Ave. NE. Grand Rapids MI 49505 a on line donation form is on CORL’s web site and can be downloaded, Pay Pal donations can be made on line to [email protected]. I thank you for your Time and Support.

Michael R. King
Founder and Director
The Coalition of Reef Lovers.

 

[squeezix]

You know, I would love to see some of these groups make a little active effort here in Florida. We've just had dredging company overturn some huge coral bommies:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... ec04.story
someone wants to drill a pipeline through our reefs:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... ec04.story

There are a lot of problems down here, in America. Why not devote these resources to causes in our own country. You people call for a sustainable industry, while giving up on the viability of our own reefs. A sustainable industry for whom? For Fiji? For Tonga? Sure they have beautiful wildlife, but we could have the same here had Americans not given up our own reefs as dead, sick children. Our reefs are beautiful and very much alive. Why not put our resources into rebuilding them and sustaining them instead of ripping rock and corals off of another country's land? Have we not done enough damage abroad? What happens when Fiji has no reef to sell? Will they start growing poppies and coca? The we can send helicopters there to burn everything down, like we did to Jamaica.

We have a great resource down here that is only protected by a few beareaucrats and housewives.

.....All about aquaculture, Squeezix.

 

[Mike King]

CORL's partner is are very active in Florida, while CORL focuses on mainly the Pacific our partner the Reef Ball Foundation is very active in Fla. visit www.artificialreefs.org for info. CORL is also involved indirectly with several of the coral farms being started in Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.
Also, American Samoa is a US territory and contains the only South Pacific coral reefs the USA has.


Mike King

 

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of problems down here, in America. Why not devote these resources to causes in our own country. You people call for a sustainable industry, while giving up on the viability of our own reefs. A sustainable industry for whom? For Fiji? For Tonga? Sure they have beautiful wildlife, but we could have the same here had Americans not given up our own reefs as dead, sick children.

1) The focus on Pacific sustainability by CORL and the lack of focus on America's Caribbean reefs is a testament to the support our federal government is already providing. Under Clinton's administration, the Coral Reef Task Force was established to preserve and protect the integrity of American coral reefs. This task force receives tens of millions of dollars of federal funding each year to help promote research and management of our coral reefs. This is in addition to our National Marine Sanctuaries program that manages several reef systems.

2) It is apparent that CORL's monetary contribution to our own reefs would pale in comparison and efficacy if used to promote U.S. Caribbean reefs only.

3) Many Pacific countries have severely underdeveloped economies, and also underfunded agencies of their own that can help them protect and preserve their reef resources from within. It is clear that they need outside help to protect them.

4) Since U.S. consumers constitute 80% of the demand for trade that is causing removal and useage of these reefs, shouldn't we take it upon ourselves to remediate this by donating time, technology, effort, and money to better sustain a resource that is benefitting us as much as it is them?

5) To be sure, no one has "given up" on our Floridian Reefs. However, continual pressure from the current administration is sure to reduce the amount of funding and protection that goes toward sustaining a healthy reef tract. You can do your part by emailing/calling/writing your senators and representatives as well as the Whitehouse and demand that critical environmental protection monies and laws not be changed to lower the protection afforded to our reefs. Let's not undo the great strides the last administration started.

Regards,
Brian Todd
University of Georgia